Bahia de Bariay / Cayo de Bariay

To the east of Gibara is the bay known as Bahia de Bariay, and in the bay is the peninsula called Cayo de Bariay. It is here that most people believe Christopher Columbus first landed in the year 1492. He described the land like it was paradise. To commemorate the 500th anniversary of this historic event a monument was erected. It is called "Monumento Encuentro Dos Cultures" (the meeting of two cultures) and it is dedicated to the Taino Indians and who inhabited this area. There is a beach here, Playa Cayo Bariay and a restaurant as well. Visitors can reach Bahia de Bariay either by road with a private vehicle or by boat from Guardalavaca.